Dr Michelle Clement

Director’s Blog July 2025 - The Strand Group Professor Jon Davis OBE

As we come to the end of the academic year, I’d like to share some of the great work done by the Strand Group in 2024-25 with particular reference to the first year of the MA Government Studies

thestrandgroup.kcl.ac.uk/news-item/di...

Director’s Blog July 2025 - The Strand Group Professor Jon Davis OBE

Congratulations to @jonmdavis.bsky.social on the first successful year of the MA Govt Studies thestrandgroup.kcl.ac.uk/news-item/di...

If you get a chance, would v much appreciate a short review on Amazon. Thank you, again!

Yes, the stocktakes were v focused, based on agreed data and had the right people in the room.

Noise and gamesmanship is part of politics and therefore part of government, esp at the centre. The rigour of stocktake process guarded against this but you can’t 100% get away from it.

Thank you for sharing your feedback!

IMO Michael Barber was playing the ‘honest broker’ and Blair’s backing was critical. Barber was v focused on the outcomes needed by end of the Parliament. He had to be politically astute. You’re right that he didn’t “play the game” in the usual manner many do.

Also, that the stock takes were very focused and defined and therefore not so susceptible to ‘noise’ and gamesmanship?

Just coming to the end and have found it fascinating. Is part of the success the fact that Michael Barber wished to be an honest broker but also, by having the strong backing of Tony Blair, he did not feel the need to ‘politic’ - he was secure in his status?

Very much enjoyed being part of this panel alongside Baroness Deborah Mattinson, Lord Neil Kinnock, Sir Mel Stride and Professor Bobby Duffy

Sharing reflections from my 📕 The Art of Delivery (@bitebackpublishing.bsky.social)

@strandgroup.bsky.social
@policyatkings.bsky.social

Lord Grade, Chair @ofcom.bsky.social begins @strandgroup.bsky.social lecture on Growth, Innovation and the Future of the Media

‘Without good regulation markets risk running wild. … Good regulation means being fit for the times.’

‘Modern regulators must do three things:
Engage, Enable, Evolve.’

Thank you, Sally.

Review by Francis Maude of @mlclem.bsky.social ’s book on the Blair delivery unit www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Lord Maude reviews 'The Art of Delivery' Michelle Clement has produced a brilliant account of the creation of the No 10 Delivery Unit and the travails of the Blair government to implement ...

Michelle Clement has produced a brilliant account of the creation of the No 10 Delivery Unit and the travails of the Blair government to implement its public service reforms

📚 Lord Francis Maude reviews @mlclem.bsky.social's 'The Art of Delivery' | @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social
bit.ly/4lVOmnk

📕available now amzn.eu/d/bCwOEIx

Full book review by Lord Maude 🔗 www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

@bitebackpublishing.bsky.social
@strandgroup.bsky.social
@policyatkings.bsky.social
@kingscollegelondon.bsky.social

Delighted to read this excellent review of my book ‘The Art of Delivery’ by Lord Francis Maude @politicshome.bsky.social

‘Michelle Clement has produced a brilliant account of the creation of the No 10 Delivery Unit and the travails of the Blair government to implement its public service reforms.’

PM - President Trump announces higher tariffs on the EU and Mexico - BBC Sounds The EU warns it will take 'all necessary steps' to safeguard its interests.

Great to talk to Caroline Wyatt on Labour governments & the trade unions (from 16:10)

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Important insights shared by Baroness Deborah Mattinson on ‘I’ve been lucky syndrome’.

And the need to consider this when planning how to communicate delivery. So that people recognise the wider change and credit those who made the difference.

Great honour to be part of esteemed panel alongside Lord Neil Kinnock, Baroness Deborah Mattinson, Sir Mel Stride. Chaired by the brilliant @bobbyduffy.bsky.social

Lots of wonderful conversation re my 📕 ‘The Art of Delivery’ with people who’ve read it and intend to!
@bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

…and Deborah Mattinson concluding our panel with a timely warning on cynicism and belief - arguing for the importance of voters not only experiencing government delivery, but also believing that their politicians can and want to deliver change

…followed by @mlclem.bsky.social on the ‘wider moral purpose of delivery’ to combat the threat cynicism and populism, drawing on the lessons of the Blair government and it’s implementation of the Delivery Unit…

…and now, Sir Mel Stride on the promise of addressing serious looming economic challenges by allowing more real-world expertise and use of technology into government…

… followed by Lord Neil Kinnock reflecting on the urgent importance of truth, fact and objective analysis in an age of ‘tectonic change’, conspiracy, clickbait and lies…

☀️ Tonight, our Summer Reception - kicking off with @bobbyduffy.bsky.social setting the scene and celebrating another year of progress

Show 393. Dr Michelle Clement The Political Party · Episode

Hello Mikey, thank you for your interest. There isn’t currently but if there’s enough demand I’m sure my publisher @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social could make it happen.

I’ve done various podcasts including Matt Forde’s The Political Party if that’s of interest.

open.spotify.com/episode/65mB...

📣 Catch up: Fantastic to see my book ‘The Art of Delivery’ reviewed in @financialtimes.com by @stephenkb.bsky.social

📰 on.ft.com/3G1PoPn

📕 Buy the book and let me know what you think 💭 amzn.eu/d/615RqYr

@bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

Lessons in delivering change for a restless electorate The Blair era offers ideas on how to reform and improve public services, but the rise of populism raises the stakes

Lessons in delivering change for a restless electorate—
A far tougher economic climate, the legacy of Covid-19, and growing geopolitical instability pose serious threats… www.ft.com/content/88fc... @mlclem.bsky.social @financialtimes.com

The paper copy of @financialtimes.com with op-ed by me. V cool to see! ✍️

Full circle moment having first started reading @jonmdavis.bsky.social paper copy of the FT 15 years ago, as an MA student 🗞️

"...there is a wider moral purpose for delivering on Labour’s promises today. A lack of delivery breeds cynicism about democracy, which in turn fuels populism"

@strandgroup.bsky.social's @mlclem.bsky.social writes in the FT about what the Blair era can teach us about improving public services

Excellent from @mlclem.bsky.social on the challenges ahead

Delighted to have written for @financialtimes.com on ‘Lessons for delivering change for a restless electorate’

Using research frm my new 📕 ‘The Art of Delivery: The Inside Story of How the Blair Government Transformed Britain’s Public Services’

✍️🔗 on.ft.com/3G2AKHG

@bitebackpublishing.bsky.social

Me for @financialtimes.com - using my 📕 ‘The Art of Delivery’

@bitebackpublishing.bsky.social
@strandgroup.bsky.social